"If we do not speak, even the stones will cry out"
As President of the Uniting Church in Australia, I am compelled to speak with moral clarity, compassion, and a heart broken open by the suffering we are witnessing. We cannot remain silent while bodies are crushed by bombs, children starve….If we do not speak, even the stones will cry out.
With humility and repentance, we confess that our voice has not been clear or courageous in naming the immense and disproportionate suffering of Palestine. We lament our silences and hesitation. We know we cannot claim peace as our prayer if we have not named the injustices we see.
To leaders in the Australian Government, we repeat our calls to:
- Demand an immediate ceasefire and the uninhibited flow of humanitarian aid;
- Condemn the brutalities and atrocities which are being committed;
- End any remaining weapons exports to Israel and provide greater transparency over Australia’s weapon exports;
- Call for the release of all hostages in both Palestine and Israel, and all Palestinians held without charge or trial;
- Impose targeted sanctions on Israeli settlers responsible for serious human rights abuses against Palestinians;
- Support the International Court of Justice in its measures to prevent genocide;
- Do all it can to facilitate a meaningful and lasting peace.
Rev Charissa Suli, President of the Uniting Church in Australia, May 2025